What stops you from being successful?
Is it. . .
- You don’t know enough.
- You’re not smart enough.
- You don’t have enough time.
- You don’t have enough money.
- You don’t have all the “right” tools.
- You’re waiting for your kids to grow up.
- You’re waiting for the right mentor to show up.
- The right mentor has shown up, and now you’re waiting for them to tell you what to do.
- etc., etc., etc.
Sound familiar?
You know what all those are? Bullshit excuses.
It’s your Ego’s way of keeping you stuck. Keeping you small. Keeping you safe.
But you’re paying a high price for that safety. You may be frustrated, anxious, scared or angry that things just don’t seem to be going your way. Maybe you’re all of those things. And perhaps you’re facing a spouse or Other Important Person in your life who’s not on board with what you’re doing. Dealing with that makes these excuses and you Ego’s voice that much bigger and louder.
Well I have some news for you.
You are Enough.
And if I know you half as well as I think I do, you just said, “No, I’m not.” Caught you.
I’m not making light of the fact that you may be short of cash, support, inspiration and tools that would make your work easier. I’ve been there; I know what it feels like. And it doesn’t feel good. But there’s a way out.
I love the term Bootstrapping. I recently met a woman who’d never heard it before. It means to pull yourself up by the straps of your (imaginary) boots to get you where you want to go. It’s an old term that I think is perfect for this scenario. When we’re faced with a loud Ego and some seemingly insurmountable obstacles, getting into the bootstrapping mindset helps you think more creatively and allows you to get out of your own way.
So, how does one adopt a Bootstrapping attitude? With courage, conviction and a whole lot of moxie.
First, you MUST believe you are enough. Even if it’s a tiny, fleeting feeling, you must learn what it feels like in your gut to believe you are enough.
Second, you MUST believe that right now you have exactly what you need – even if you don’t know it yet. This is not being a pollyanna or having a pie-in-the-sky mentality. This might mean that you must believe you have the ability to find the resources you need to accomplish your goals. Having what you need right now may be simply knowing you have a telephone and can make calls or a computer with Internet access that allows you to reach the world. Or it could mean you really already do have what you need – you just hadn’t noticed. You have to start somewhere.
Third, you MUST act AS IF you believe #1 and #2. Seriously, walk around saying to yourself that you are enough and you have what you need. You’ll be amazed at how soon you actually begin to believe it. This is where things start to get interesting.
Once you reach this state, you’ll begin to notice that the people, things and resources you need begin to show up – almost as if by magic. Call it the Law of Attraction – I don’t care. I do know that you need to be in action for this to work. You can’t sit in your office waiting for the phone to ring. (I’ve tried that, it doesn’t work.) You must be an active participant in your business life.
Now that you know this, why not begin to be the confident, bootstrapping, moxie-filled business person you’re meant to be – Today?
Photo courtesy of Dundee Photographics
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Twitter: janettefuller
says:
WOW! I felt like you were speaking directly to me. I was just thinking that I would love to make promotional videos for books….BUT I don’t have enough skill to do this on a professional level. In step #2 you said “you must know that right now you have exactly what you need.”
Thank you for this inspiration!
Janette Fuller recently posted..Make A Video Book Trailer With Animoto
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Janette, your comment made my day! You go for it!!
Great post! “Being you is enough. It’s definitely enough.” I used to remind myself of this simple fact everyday. I stopped trying to impress. I stopped trying to audition for other people’s lives. And most importantly, I stopped comparing myself to the lives of others. There is always going to be someone better looking, more successful, smarter, faster, stronger, just better than you. And while you shouldn’t stop competing in life, you should stop comparing yourself and your life to others. You will exhaust yourself trying to match or triumph them. Because at the end of the day if you find yourself surrounded by people you feel jealous or envious of, maybe the real issue isn’t that they’re beating you, but rather you aren’t pushing yourself hard enough.
Lynne
Alright! Looks like this post has really challenged me.
As for me, excuse is always an obstacle on our journey to success. Thanks for this little reminder. 
Lynne
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Hey Lynne – glad I could be the “prod.” Thank YOU for reading and commenting.
Hi Lisbeth Tanz,
This is really very good and inspiring article. The excuses listed were really well chosen. Also this has become the condition of most of us. Thanks.
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Thank you, Shivam! I appreciate your visit and that you took the time to comment.
Twitter: melaniekissell
says:
This is a turbo-charged post!
Building a business is scary stuff and there’s no doggone safety net if you fall. So it’s really easy to hide behind the fear by coming up with a barrel full of excuses. But excuses create an impenetrable barricade.
If you intend to be a successful entrepreneur …
You’ve got to adopt a bootstrapping mindset and kick those fears to the curb!
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Right on, Melanie!
Twitter: maureenwmiaf
says:
Lis:
Ok, you caught me! I was just stopping by to say hi; little did I know that I was reading just what I need! I have butterflies in my stomach right; afraid that I don’t know enough and who am I fooling! I had someone unsubscribe and on her way out the door left a nasty comment.
Some of her points were correct and it is something I am working on fixing; but when nasty words get flung; I instantly want to quit what I am doing and go back to my easy life where I could just be invisible.
Thanks for setting me straight!
Maureen Wielansky recently posted..DAY 1-2-3- Craig Embarks on Sugar-Free Heaven
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Isn’t is great how the universe does that, Maureen? I totally understand the desire to hide when someone says something I don’t want to hear – even if it’s spot on. I’m sorry this person felt they had to do so in a nasty way; there’s never a reason for that. And, since she unsubscribed, you now have room for a person to come in you can truly help – that other person just wasn’t part of your market. So – say a quiet “thank you” to her that she left.
I’m glad you came by.
Twitter: maureenwmiaf
says:
Thanks Lis and I need to get a bit tougher in the skin department!
Maureen Wielansky recently posted..No Makeup and True Confessions
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
You can do it, Maureen!
Twitter: SheilaAtwood
says:
Lisbeth,
This reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:
“You’ve got to jump off cliffs and build your wings on the way down.” Ray Bradbury
I have heard of bootstrapping in fact I can’t tell you how many times I have to bootstrap. The more you grow, the bigger you get the more there is that can get in your way. Bootstrapping help to pull through those times of expansion.
Sheila Atwood recently posted..3 Resources You Can Plunder For Your Headline Swipe File
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
I love that quote, Sheila! I often say that trying new things is a lot like jumping off a cliff.
It looks like your bootstrapping has paid off!
Twitter: TrueLifeSuccess
says:
I love the bootstrapping scenario! Made me think of pulling up my boots getting ready to tread through what might be thick and nasty and deep, but I’m prepared for it!
Another thought that I’ve heard before that fits with the wonderful post you’ve written is – When the Student Is Ready, The Teacher Appears!
GREAT Post!
TAM
Tammy Matthews recently posted..Top 10 Secrets To Releasing Negative Self-Talk
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Tammy, thanks for coming by! Like you, the image of bootstrapping conjures up the ability to wade through anything. Thank you for the compliment and the additional thought. Yes, teachers do appear when the time is right. That’s happened to me time and again.
What an encouraging post, Lisbeth! I like to combine belief that I’m enough with faith. The two combined, for me, is powerful. Thanks for the reminder!
Roz K Walker recently posted..The Mompreneur’s Roadmap to Fulfillment- Identifying Strengths
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Roz, Faith definitely has a place here, too. And, you’re welcome. Sometimes we need those little reminders!
Twitter: stevetheowl12
says:
Great post, Lisbeth! You are so right that we are capable of doing the things we need to do in order to make our lives better. What you said about starting with where you are reminds me of what Jeff Olson said in “The Slight Edge,” all it takes is a penny. No matter where you are, you can always start. Even if it means saving seed money, that’s still a step. If you don’t do anything, how can you expect anything to change?
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Steve, thank you for stopping by for a read. I’ll have to check out Olson’s book. Thanks for the recommendation. And yes, one tiny step is all it takes!
Twitter: MarthaGiffen
says:
What a beautiful post! We ARE enough! I have been a motivator and encourager for as long as i can remember and I can tell you, that self-talk can bring people to a screeching halt! You are right. It’s nothing but excuses you give yourself for not achieving success. The fact is, in your business, you have to go out and FIND your customers. They are not going to fall in your lap! And, -once you find them, you are responsible for what happens next. I agree with everything you wrote!
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Martha, thank you for taking the time to comment! I’m finding my most resonating posts are the ones I write from the heart – and my own experience. I love meeting like-minded people (like you) on these subjects. Maybe if we talk about them enough, things will truly begin to change in the world.
Twitter: samanthaluy
says:
Hi Lisbeth! I came across your blog through other bloggers I really respect. Loved your post on rewarding followers and subscribed right away! I love the thoughts you pose and it really had be thinking twice about how I’m keeping myself back from the game and why. Sometimes, it takes exactly that kind of self-assessment to be able to get past the barrier and move on up. =) Thanks for these thoughts and for a push in the right direction. =)
Samantha Bangayan recently posted..The Sea of Nonconformity- A Poet and Capoeirista in Huancayo
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
I’m am honored that you’ve chosen to continue to read my words, Samantha! Thank you! Glad I could be a help to you!
Love the post. It’s so true! We all need to remember this (I know I do!)
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Thanks, Evie!
Wow, this article is very fitting to me right now, for I have been at a standstill when it comes to my business (which is my blog) for awhile now. Doubt has begun to rear its ugly head, and this post was just what I needed to get me looking at the BIGGER picture. I love your writing!
The Cubicle Chick recently posted..New Creme of Nature with Argan Oil from Morocco Giveaway
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Funny how, just when you need something it shows up, huh? Give your doubt a cup of tea and let it go off by itself. You have blog posts to write!
Thanks for the compliment, too. 
That was a right kick in the derriere for me – I’m guilty of most of the things you listed – no excuse. I need to get my derriere in gear! Thanks for sharing… almost added another excuse – want to wait for you to start “31 days blog challenge” before I add something to my blog because I don’t know what I should be writing. I think I’ve answered my own question – I think I still need someone like you to say it.
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
I hope I didn’t kick too hard. Glad you’re not waiting for the June 31 Days Blog Challenge. It’s better to do that one with some posts already in place. So have at it! Glad I could be an inspiration.
Twitter: janesheeba
says:
Hi Lisabeth,
Wonderful post. Not just motivating, but really kicking on butts to take action right now. It is indeed quite important that we must start to take action with what we have already. Most of the time it is more than enough. But we always wait for something else happen before we start.
Great thoughts.
PS: My first time on your blog. Found you through Blokube.
Cheers,
Jane.
Jane | Find All Answers recently posted..How I Managed To Get My Posts Featured On A-List Blogs
Twitter: lisbethtanz
says:
Jane – thank you for coming by and for letting me know how you found me. I need to spend more time on Blokube – I only recently learned of it. I trust when I do, I’ll find you busily posting and taking action!